KINGSTON, RI – Harvard women's volleyball dropped its opening match to Stony Brook before bouncing back into the win column with a 3-1 victory over Northern Illinois to close out play at the Art Carmichael Invitational. 

Harvard Falls to Stony Brook

Beginning with an early lead and grow its distance to as many as five throughout the ladder points of the set, Harvard controlled a majority of the opening set.  However, a late push by the Seawolves in a 9-2 run resulted in the Crimson dropping the opening frame, 25-23. 

While back and forth in the first few points, Stony Brook used a 3-0 scoring run to grow a lead that it would never relinquish.  Ultimately, the Seawolves were able to hold off any late set heroics from the Crimson and move up 2-0 in the match with a 25-16 second set decision. 

The Seawolves carried its momentum into the third set pulling out a 9-3 lead.  Not losing its fight, the Crimson battled back, bringing the set to a two-point difference on multiple occasions.  With the score set a 20-18 in favor of Stony Brook and Harvard looking to continue the match, the Seawolves were able to capitalize and secure the final five points, closing the match with a 25-18 final set. 

Brynne Faltinsky led the team in kills for the third time in five games, registering seven while also recording 11 digs.  Lindsey Zhang also recorded double digit digs with 10 while Rocky Aguirre led with 13 assists. 

Harvard Bounces Back Against Northern Illinois

The Crimson reentered the win column in the final of two matches today, pulling off several down to the wire sets against the Northern Illinois Huskies.  The opening frame started neck and neck with neither team gaining an advantage of more than two before the Crimson moved up 12-9.  Despite evening the score throughout the ladder portions of the set, Harvard never allowed the Huskies to pull ahead, ultimately sealing the opener at 27-25 with a pair of kills from Ryleigh Patterson and Corinne Furey. 

The second set was a story of runs as either team took its turns pulling out to leads.  After NIU rattled off a 3-0 run to take a 17-16 lead, the match turned into a back and further affair before the Crimson capitalized on three straight kills to close out the set at 26-24. 

Harvard remained in control during the third set, looking to secure the sweep before NIU stormed out for a 5-0 run to create the necessary distance needed to get on the board.  Despite fending off a pair of set points, the Huskies were ultimately able to force a fourth set with a 25-23 decision. 

Entering the next frame, the Huskies remained unwillingly to back down, pressuring the Crimson and taking the lead midway through the set.  A 4-0 scoring run and a 17-16 lead shifted the momentum back to the Crimson.  Despite NIU being able to take back the lead on a few more occasions, the Crimson were undeterred, registering five of the final six points to hold off the Huskies and close out the weekend with a win. 

Aguirre registered a strong all-around match by leading the team with 47 assists and adding five kills, two aces, and 13 digs. 

Faltinsky nearly matched her career-high for kills for the third time in the young season, leading the team with 18 slams while also adding an ace, a pair of block assists, and seven digs.  Furey followed closely behind with 15 kills and an additional five digs.  As the Crimson posted its second highest dig total of the year with 59, Zhang led the way with 16.   

Next Up

The Crimson will remain on the road next weekend for its final three non-conference contests of the season.  Opening play at 7:00 p.m. ET on Friday, September 20, Harvard will face off against the hosting Delaware State Hornets.  The following day the Crimson will meet NJIT and George Washington at 11:00 a.m. ET and 4:00 p.m. ET, respectively.